Why have modern cars lost their voice?

The main idea behind installing the Thunder active exhaust system is to add that missing "zing" to the exhaust sound, making driving truly emotional. We're talking about the noble, deep roar of naturally aspirated 4-5 litre V8 petrol engines, which are, unfortunately, becoming history.

Why is this happening? Modern environmental regulations force manufacturers to reduce engine displacement and cylinder count. Engineers are increasingly "blowing up" engines with turbos and "choking" them with particulate filters. The result is that even if you go to a tuning shop asking to remove the filters and install a straight-through exhaust system, you won't get the desired sound.

The turbine sound – whether diesel or petrol – will dominate the exhaust. Instead of a noble roar from the exhaust pipe, you will hear a characteristic whistling hiss of air, reminiscent of a powerful vacuum cleaner. This is an inevitable consequence of turbo operation, and it cannot be combated with traditional tuning methods.

Example of a tuned straight-through exhaust sound on a diesel BMW X5 E70 — the characteristic turbine whistle is audible

How does Thunder change the situation?

We offer a fundamentally different approach — installing the Thunder electronic active exhaust system. This is not just a "gadget" for the existing system, but a full-fledged technological solution that radically changes the sound image of your car. After installation, your car acquires that distinctive, high-quality exhaust sound characteristic of naturally aspirated V6 or V8 petrol engines of substantial displacement.

Imagine: you press the gas pedal, and instead of a faceless turbo hiss, you hear the deep, rich rumble of a powerful American V8 or the sporty roar of an Italian V12. This is precisely the transformation Thunder offers.

Thunder active exhaust system on a diesel BMW X5 E70 — can you hear the difference?

From factory solutions to premium cars

Few people know, but the electronic active exhaust system began to be installed as standard on top diesel Audi Q7 models back in 2013. It was a factory solution for those who wanted more emotion from their diesel SUV.

Factory installation of the active exhaust system on an Audi Q7 — an example of how manufacturers solve the sound problem

Over time, the technology improved, and factory retrofit kits appeared for Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. These were full-fledged solutions that could be installed on already operating cars.

Original factory retrofit kit for vehicles of the VAG concern

Today, the situation has reached a new level. Active exhaust systems are installed at the factory as additional equipment on premium crossover models:

• Porsche — for Cayenne and Macan models
• Maserati — for the Levante and other crossovers
• Mercedes — for GLE, GLS and AMG versions
• BMW — for X5, X6, X7 and M modifications

Interesting fact: the only supplier of systems for all these brands is Eberspaecher — the world leader in the production of engine pre-heaters and climate systems. This speaks to the highest quality and reliability of such solutions.

Here is what factory active exhaust systems look like on BMW vehicles:

Factory installation on a BMW — a compact and technological solution

Placement of system components in the BMW luggage compartment

Sound generators installed at the rear of the car

Operating principle of the Thunder system

The Thunder active exhaust system can be installed on the vast majority of vehicles equipped with a CAN bus. Such a bus was installed on all cars from the mid-2000s, so compatibility with your car is practically guaranteed.

How it works technically:

One or two sound generators are installed at the rear of the vehicle. For passenger cars, one generator is sufficient, but for crossovers and SUVs, we recommend installing two — this provides a more voluminous and richer sound. The generators are mounted as close as possible to the end of the standard exhaust system.

Each generator contains a professional speaker capable of reproducing low-frequency engine sound (rumble) with such power that it is felt not only by the ears but by the whole body — just like the sound of a real powerful engine.

The control computer connects to the vehicle's CAN bus and receives a signal from it with real-time engine speed information. The signal is then processed by the built-in processor and fed via an amplifier to the sound generators. The system reacts instantly to speed changes — there is no delay, the sound is 100% synchronized with the engine operation.

The most convenient thing is that the entire system is controlled via a free mobile app. The app is available for both iOS (iPhone) and Android. The connection is via Bluetooth, so you can always change settings directly from your phone without leaving the car.

Video overview of the Thunder active exhaust system and its capabilities

Full control over sound

We have created a system that gives you an unprecedented level of control over your car's sound. Here is what you get:

• 8 unique sound profiles — at your disposal are the sounds of various engine types: from the classic American V8 to the aggressive Italian V12, from the sporty V6 to the powerful V10. You can change profiles depending on your mood or situation.
• Volume control — want to impress your neighbours with a spectacular start? Turn on full power. Returning late at night and don't want to disturb anyone? Turn down the volume or turn off the sound completely with one tap in the app.
• Intelligent memory — the car remembers the last mode you selected and activates it the next time you start the engine. No need to reconfigure the system every time.
• Sound customisation — the preset profiles can be finely tuned to your preferences, saving your own presets.
• Operation across the entire rev range — unlike factory systems (for example, in the Audi Q7, where the sound cuts off after 2000 rpm), Thunder operates across the entire range: from idle to maximum revs.

More about the system's capabilities:

• How the installation works — detailed description of the installation process
• Setup and daily use — guide to the app and functions

Advantages of Thunder over alternatives

Why should you choose Thunder? Let's compare it with other solutions on the market.

Versatility and investment appeal

The Thunder system with CAN bus control is completely universal. This means that when you change your car, you can dismantle the system and move it to another vehicle. You don't need to buy a new system — simply transfer Thunder to your new car, and it will delight you with premium sound again. This is a worthwhile investment.

Full operation at all speeds

Factory systems, for example on the Audi Q7, have a serious limitation: the active exhaust sound turns off after reaching 2000 rpm. This is done to comply with noise regulations, but it completely kills the emotion of dynamic driving. Only specialised tuning shops can remove this limitation, and it costs extra money. Thunder operates across the entire rev range without any limitations.

Cost-effectiveness

A full exhaust tuning with replacement of manifolds, catalytic converters, silencers and installation of straight-through pipes costs several times more than the Thunder system. Moreover, many owners, after driving with a loud tuned exhaust, encounter serious drawbacks: headaches from the constant drone in the cabin, fatigue on long highway trips, vibrations, and the inability to make it quiet when needed. In the end, many return the stock system, losing money on the tuning. Thunder delivers only emotions, without the "headache".

Technological superiority

Inside the Thunder sound generators are professional speakers, manufactured using the same technology as used in Eberspacher production. These are not household speakers with paper cones, like those installed in Thor and iXsound systems — those are extremely short-lived and are destroyed by the environment. Our speakers are professional, protected, and designed for many years of operation.

Repairability

The Thunder generator housings are disassemblable. This is an important advantage over Thor and iXsound systems, where the housing is welded shut. If necessary (which is extremely rare), our generators can be serviced, replacing the speaker or other components. Systems with a welded housing are sent to the trash when they break.

Protection against destruction

Factory VAG and BMW systems have a design flaw — their output is connected to the main engine exhaust. Exhaust gases, especially from petrol engines, eventually destroy the speakers. Practice shows that after 3-4 years, such systems fail. Thunder lacks this drawback: our generators are installed separately, do not come into contact with exhaust gases, and last significantly longer.

Detailed story about the Thunder controlled electronic exhaust system

Thunder for hybrids and electric cars: safety and emotion

The Thunder electronic sound generator will be especially useful for owners of hybrid and electric cars. Here is why.

Firstly, safety. Since July 1, 2019, a directive has been in force in the European Union requiring all electric vehicles to be equipped with an acoustic warning system while moving. They must emit sound when moving both in reverse and forward — up to a speed of 20 km/h. The sound must be similar to that of a standard internal combustion engine so that pedestrians, especially those with impaired vision, can hear approaching vehicles. Thunder performs this function ideally.

Secondly, emotion. Many owners of hybrid and electric cars admit: at first they enjoy the silence, but then... then they want emotion. They want to hear that very roar during impressive acceleration that has always been associated with powerful sports cars. Thunder provides this opportunity — you get both the environmental friendliness of an electric car and the emotional component of a powerful engine.

Technical details and reliability

Inside the Thunder sound generator, a professional speaker is installed, created using the same technology as used in Eberspacher production. This is a fundamentally different level of quality compared to similar active exhaust systems Thor and iXsound, which use simple household sound speakers with paper cones.

Paper cones are extremely short-lived in automotive conditions: temperature changes, humidity, vibrations — all this quickly destroys them. Professional Thunder speakers lack these drawbacks and last for years without loss of sound quality.

Another important advantage is repairability. Unlike Thor and iXsound systems, where the housing is welded shut, Thunder generators have a disassemblable housing. This means that if necessary (for example, due to mechanical damage), the system can be repaired rather than thrown away.

The issue of factory VAG and BMW systems deserves special mention. Even though the supplier of sound generators for VAG and BMW vehicles is the same company (Eberspacher), they differ structurally. In VAG systems, the generator output is connected to the main engine exhaust. This leads to exhaust gases, especially aggressive ones from petrol engines, gradually destroying the speakers. Practice shows that after just 3-4 years, such systems fail. Owners have to replace expensive units entirely.

Thunder lacks this design flaw — our generators do not come into contact with exhaust gases and are protected from the aggressive environment.

This is what a destroyed speaker of the Eberspacher factory system looks like after contact with exhaust gases — a problem that Thunder owners will not face

The emotions you will get

With the Thunder electronic exhaust system activated, your car acquires a completely different character. You will be able to appear spectacularly in the right places, leaving a loud and unforgettable impression. And just as spectacularly drive away, making people turn around and wonder: what engine is hidden under the bonnet? V8? V12? How many horsepower?

Let them wonder. You will simply enjoy every ride.

Thunder is not just an accessory. It is a way to change the character of your car, making it brighter, more emotional and more individual. It is your personal sound engineer, always at hand. And yes, it is completely legal, safe for the engine, and creates no problems during vehicle inspection.

Ready to hear how your car should really sound?